[{"_1":2,"_123":-5,"_124":-5},"loaderData",{"_3":4,"_26":27},"root",{"_5":6,"_17":10,"_18":19,"_20":21,"_22":10,"_23":-5,"_24":-5,"_25":10},"user",{"_7":8,"_9":10,"_11":10,"_12":-5,"_13":-5,"_14":15,"_16":-5},"roles",[],"isAuthenticated",false,"isPremium","planName","subscriptionStatus","featureFlags",{},"insightsBudget","isDevelopmentHost","userPreferences",{},"recaptchaSiteKey","6LcvOJcUAAAAAHsB-gPGfGktcRlKpH7OTIU_dMTD","isImpersonating","impersonation","affiliateStatus","isFreedomPortal","routes/v2/article/layout",{"_28":29,"_30":31},"notFound",true,"relatedArticles",[32,75,87,99,111],{"_33":34,"_35":36,"_37":38,"_39":40,"_41":42,"_43":44,"_45":46,"_47":48,"_49":50,"_51":52,"_53":54,"_55":56,"_57":58,"_59":60,"_61":62,"_63":64,"_65":66,"_67":68,"_69":70,"_71":68,"_72":73,"_74":73},"mediaId",6135951,"mediaKeyId","5670781-8cc5efd5234966495074449b91684596","parentId",5670781,"title","Champaign Township board tables preliminary budget amid questions over Strides shelter finances and management","audioSeconds",5316,"startMs",1412000,"endMs",6728000,"viewUrl","/Search/View?dp=1&key=5670781-8cc5efd5234966495074449b91684596&start=1412&end=6728","thumbnailUrl","https://assets.pipeline.soar.com/5670781-8cc5efd5234966495074449b91684596/thumbnail_1412000.jpg","articleUrl","/articles/6135951/Champaign/Champaign-County/Illinois/Champaign-Township-board-tables-preliminary-budget-amid-questions-over-Strides-shelter-finances-and-management","mediaUrl","https://secure.pipeline.soar.com/6135951-6d8af93cbb54d5536b8f05777afb8eee/orig.mp4?Expires=1770991908&Signature=QkOHRzy958cRxTnBBxTaZ-Hvx0rmBHI9GGdw3TKFiRnmNHyxQRTOHG8uJjGYT0WtQ9OKPB~YAhlnEwnE3lZilasEscGFsrhQ5LF6xxFHNLyyZSYy9fGDEV68UGQme0OIaQXoa-rCy-pXlfZEmoEvfYQaAsWF24yTrnGOw8J2DPMSWumIT4WvUwdeGqSvFl2elppfszTXrNVHULHGWHNN-znJDCa6xntMjdjotXQj3nkA57AfxkJkP-DfJjDNYP-5zN928I6b3q5lkcrzXljDu-Vh6h1pMItgPQx4VPNbc3KaxdH0GM9UhY~T2gCk2-3fGkApIK-iFoVkSDLFtxVdwQ__&Key-Pair-Id=KUT5TJCACFTXG","author","Champaign City, IL","date","2025-08-19T00:00:00Z","article","Champaign Township supervisors and board members on Aug. 19 delayed action on the township’s preliminary fiscal 2026 budget after prolonged questioning about revenue sources and financial controls, particularly funds tied to the Strides shelter. The board voted to table the budget until a special meeting next week.

The budget discussion followed the supervisor’s presentation of an amended packet after a roughly $1 million housing-authority grant was removed. Board members and members of the public repeatedly pressed township staff for line-item clarifications, a list of secured grants and explanations for large changes to specific accounts.

Why it matters: Township revenues and contracts fund Strides, the township-operated shelter and related social services. Board members said they could not approve a spending plan for an agency they said lacks sufficient financial transparency and managerial oversight.

During the meeting, Town Board Member Shannon read a list of detailed questions about accounts including 52030 (miscellaneous contractual services), 52200 (insurance premiums) and 51200–52300 line items and asked for year-to-date spending comparisons and where shifted costs had been reallocated. The supervisor said the city finance department had helped prepare the figures and that some figures in the narrative were typos or moved between categories.

Board members and several public commenters focused on Strides operations: questions included how long current funds would last, whether grant revenue shown was already received or merely expected as reimbursement, and whether property tax revenues could be applied to Strides (staff said general township levies are constrained and historically Strides has relied on grants).

Township staff and city finance clarified several points on the record: the $1,200,000 “intergovernmental other” line includes about $980,000 the city provided from previously approved local ARPA-related funding and about $180,000 from an Urbana HHI grant; state grants listed include an IDHS award (~$238,500) and an IDHS RRH grant (~$125,000). Staff also said many Strides grants are reimbursement-based and may roll into a later fiscal year depending on expenditures.

Public commenters raised operational concerns about Strides. A recent employee who identified herself as a fired staff member urged oversight and offered to provide documentation; others described poor conditions for shelter guests and neighbors’ safety concerns. Several board members and citizens urged improved accounting detail or an independent review before more funds are approved.

Town board action: Board members moved and approved tabling the preliminary budget to next week to allow staff to provide revised documents and additional evidence; roll-call votes recorded unanimous agreement to table.

Next steps: The supervisor and township staff will provide a revised budget and supporting documentation in advance of the special meeting; board members requested a grant-by-grant revenue breakdown, explanations for large line-item adjustments and clearer identification of which funds are already received versus reimbursements.

Quotes are taken from board discussion and public comment recorded in the Aug. 19 meeting transcript.","mediaType","Video","parentTitle","Champaign City Council - 8/19/25","oneSentenceSummary","Champaign Township supervisors and board members on Aug. 19 delayed action on the township’s preliminary fiscal 2026 budget after prolonged questioning about revenue sources and financial controls, particularly funds tied to the Strides shelter.","taxTitle","Champaign, Champaign County, Illinois","taxId",2827,"location","headline","","shortSummary",{"_33":76,"_35":36,"_37":38,"_39":77,"_41":78,"_43":79,"_45":80,"_47":81,"_49":82,"_51":83,"_53":84,"_55":56,"_57":58,"_59":85,"_61":62,"_63":64,"_65":86,"_67":68,"_69":70,"_71":68,"_72":73,"_74":73},6135932,"Council approves three procurement items and routine payments totaling millions",142,572000,714000,"/Search/View?dp=1&key=5670781-8cc5efd5234966495074449b91684596&start=572&end=714","https://assets.pipeline.soar.com/5670781-8cc5efd5234966495074449b91684596/thumbnail_572000.jpg","/articles/6135932/Champaign/Champaign-County/Illinois/Council-approves-three-procurement-items-and-routine-payments-totaling-millions","https://secure.pipeline.soar.com/6135932-4b796d3b16e3812ced1d85e5d42a6e9d/orig.mp4?Expires=1770991908&Signature=gLPnNtmW5hailcCJMQv-6S~ZHWil0nkxZm4TY0vfnbbmRaLo69XQq4I3qeXndm6uSOtGuUwyHEVIfJsX3oGlHVJxG-Ad9pT3l1bPXCTp6LL~4esFDCw-Dsi2WX0012DQ93jShn1Da434iS-oaPByYFN3VGd1JQRUgacyU9gbk8pANJronmgsWhEH~x2DlQ69C30p4OZlzBEAD0yu~cjlrjbDs6QUC-dpOjv7yy1gxboLRY9giTtReMrrXiPomfjCiIB4y0aaxxtDPdelNeYwIiqzK80LeGd~WA~Jmh0S61PbbtVznoSI8bT5jo2EZvTxbnDJvYLa0Pg-KHCZrBSbqQ__&Key-Pair-Id=KUT5TJCACFTXG","The Champaign City Council on Aug. 19 approved multiple procurement and payment items on unanimous votes.

Carpet and vinyl contract: Council Bill 2025-150 authorized the city manager to execute a three-year agreement with Neverman Floor Artisans Inc. of Tolo, Illinois, in an amount not to exceed $450,000 to provide carpet and vinyl replacement services.

Taylor Street Alley project: Council Bill 2025-151 authorized contract execution with Juice Construction of Champaign, Illinois, in the amount of $124,867 and allowed a potential workforce-diversity incentive payment not to exceed $3,121.68 for construction of the Taylor Street Alley project.

Payments and payroll: The council approved vendor payments in the amount of $3,470,008.83 and approved payroll for Aug. 1, 2025 in the amount of $2,765,094.12. Motions for these routine financial approvals passed by voice vote with aye recorded.

Why it matters: The procurements and payments cover capital maintenance (flooring), a public-works alley project with a diversity incentive, and the city’s regular operating expenses.

All procurement items and payments were approved by recorded roll call or voice vote and are scheduled for contract execution and processing by city staff.

Quotes and roll-call tallies are taken from the Aug. 19 meeting transcript.","The Champaign City Council unanimously approved a carpet-and-vinyl contract, an alley construction contract with a workforce-incentive provision, and vendor/vendor payments and payroll as presented. Measures passed on recorded roll-call votes.",{"_33":88,"_35":36,"_37":38,"_39":89,"_41":90,"_43":91,"_45":92,"_47":93,"_49":94,"_51":95,"_53":96,"_55":56,"_57":58,"_59":97,"_61":62,"_63":64,"_65":98,"_67":68,"_69":70,"_71":68,"_72":73,"_74":73},6135936,"Council rezones two South Mattis Avenue lots to allow low-density multifamily development; neighbor voices support",132,453000,585000,"/Search/View?dp=1&key=5670781-8cc5efd5234966495074449b91684596&start=453&end=585","https://assets.pipeline.soar.com/5670781-8cc5efd5234966495074449b91684596/thumbnail_453000.jpg","/articles/6135936/Champaign/Champaign-County/Illinois/Council-rezones-two-South-Mattis-Avenue-lots-to-allow-low-density-multifamily-development-neighbor-voices-support","https://secure.pipeline.soar.com/6135936-a0da6394474bc4e7631d2e91587eef85/orig.mp4?Expires=1770991908&Signature=FOPwKzHjLYbRv9XNDu~Id6wC3w4RR1M6e75TKmm-mBWYf18LANvTvvCQgqo1fwKk~ZCMbSo5Va~4~Djxz7e220EN51N0cmzwi7Cp7tNORfiCFqI1ktS9lJIgHTUaACnBxjwI5ZbLnwTqLpQuPZL2NkP87~9Sd46rFsYRBzueC7Z02FPS5YTKSN3P-gHyVI4PuvVVL93YhEPhIIZaKhhBg66BYhnP22LOrHW8cQKbY4a9otp2HFYJttCixufGS8Kk6W4qHIc-yQkEjpmaf2Jq6Gp5Awb-019ri3B7wk-sEKgsEccT7O3HmvqAByVsiy1U2gofRYhsE-RyTaDe-BYBrw__&Key-Pair-Id=KUT5TJCACFTXG","The Champaign City Council on Aug. 19 approved an ordinance to rezone two parcels at 2907 and 3101 South Mattis Avenue from a single-family district to a low-density multifamily district, with the council voting 9–0.

The item appeared on the agenda as Council Bill 2025-149. The council packet described the purpose as rezoning the properties to allow multifamily development; a public commenter who lives adjacent to the subject property, Shelby Coney of 1903 Kenny, told the council she had attended the plan commission hearing and supported rezoning to MF1 as the practical route to development at this time.

Why it matters: The change alters allowable use of the parcels from single-family to low-density multifamily, which can enable multi-unit housing development close to nearby services and transit.

Public comment: Shelby Coney, the adjacent resident, said she and neighbors are “fully supportive” and that rezoning is likely the only way the parcels will be developed now.

The ordinance passed unanimously; council staff said there were no technical questions and no other public speakers opposed the measure.

Quotes are taken from the Aug. 19 meeting transcript.","The Champaign City Council unanimously approved a zoning map amendment for 2907 and 3101 South Mattis Avenue to permit low-density multifamily housing. A nearby resident, Shelby Coney, thanked the planning commission and said rezoning is the only realistic path to development at this time.",{"_33":100,"_35":36,"_37":38,"_39":101,"_41":102,"_43":103,"_45":104,"_47":105,"_49":106,"_51":107,"_53":108,"_55":56,"_57":58,"_59":109,"_61":62,"_63":64,"_65":110,"_67":68,"_69":70,"_71":68,"_72":73,"_74":73},6135941,"City approves $90,500 contract with RDG for housing-needs analysis; councilmember seeks short-term rental review",65,374000,439000,"/Search/View?dp=1&key=5670781-8cc5efd5234966495074449b91684596&start=374&end=439","https://assets.pipeline.soar.com/5670781-8cc5efd5234966495074449b91684596/thumbnail_374000.jpg","/articles/6135941/Champaign/Champaign-County/Illinois/City-approves-90500-contract-with-RDG-for-housing-needs-analysis-councilmember-seeks-short-term-rental-review","https://secure.pipeline.soar.com/6135941-60f148e58857563eadd00070f716a540/orig.mp4?Expires=1770991908&Signature=dj~e4ddjO67S0vSOCFG70Mfc3dK1qJlVUg30nJ7OcAPxViyYoYhHnAR8gDAOw80VXhSNpqbDFRmYxlGUWmZCTNnDuLet~Xb4oX3Mo9liGrV3JCZwPo4NCsYdh9OsZeQucKlHplnPrfxi6UHj7bQr2bGQ0ytB~5Gr5G3XURGDXcCBnGcpIhkWKcTf1wluGxJsU2g8eEP57~l--BJ3okGE-rQFx08sgWSV-rIH5NogTAPFs5amPuOrb-FnYjXKsd9LJe~XdqJRO~~FnlY3zHoVorXG51qz8rNq9QRkvuU0JLjBrSt2gb-vb5yetePjjc91M64vmaesLK4BCIVQF6RSIA__&Key-Pair-Id=KUT5TJCACFTXG","The Champaign City Council on Aug. 19 approved a contract with RDG Planning and Design for a housing-needs analysis and strategy in an amount not to exceed $90,500.

The contract, identified as Council Bill 2025-148 in the meeting, passed on a 9–0 roll call after brief technical questions. RDG will prepare the housing needs analysis and related strategy work for the city.

Councilmember Shannon asked whether the consultant’s scope would address short-term rental platforms such as Airbnb; a city staff member responding said, “That is the intent.”

Why it matters: The housing-needs analysis will inform policy and zoning decisions and could influence future programs affecting tenants, landlords and potential developers.

What the contract covers: City staff described the agreement as a professional-services contract for a consultant-led needs analysis and strategy. The agenda summary says the contract amount will not exceed $90,500; staff indicated the consultant will examine relevant local housing topics in the city’s scope.

Next steps: Staff will finalize the consultant agreement; RDG will proceed with the analysis as outlined in the contract and provide deliverables to the city per the professional-services agreement.

Quotes are taken from the Aug. 19 public meeting transcript.","The Champaign City Council approved a professional-services contract with RDG Planning and Design to conduct a housing-needs analysis and strategy for up to $90,500. Councilmember Shannon asked that short-term rental platforms such as Airbnb be included in the consultant’s scope.",{"_33":112,"_35":36,"_37":38,"_39":113,"_41":114,"_43":115,"_45":116,"_47":117,"_49":118,"_51":119,"_53":120,"_55":56,"_57":58,"_59":121,"_61":62,"_63":64,"_65":122,"_67":68,"_69":70,"_71":68,"_72":73,"_74":73},6135946,"Downtown Champaign residents ask council to curb 3 a.m. garbage pickups, citing sleep and noise ordinance concerns",532,724000,1256000,"/Search/View?dp=1&key=5670781-8cc5efd5234966495074449b91684596&start=724&end=1256","https://assets.pipeline.soar.com/5670781-8cc5efd5234966495074449b91684596/thumbnail_724000.jpg","/articles/6135946/Champaign/Champaign-County/Illinois/Downtown-Champaign-residents-ask-council-to-curb-3-am-garbage-pickups-citing-sleep-and-noise-ordinance-concerns","https://secure.pipeline.soar.com/6135946-be39b55a8309d90166450c075c986b18/orig.mp4?Expires=1770991908&Signature=a0qddBTfta6obtDcs~3-TzQciz1qJgYHShm1403caO9eDBYQ~JkjP76y7kC-37eT9pKe2DfGcBfuojPdg3W964PxYvMPuN2QpRu6k3yXY0rbEnQ-zPCiSgkTcilW6fapiah9mPOdg95zrW3DJli7t1b7jPkxrWrREveUuMBKadmxB1FV8bSYjYdxQz1kD3mrQ5lzrlnFl94udekfsNo-rT4Otqk7m-eiz9Jwyda9dluaG-CfnX7bWTE9OAnDxVCsnQooNDxhp3WIR3~HJnJy8hjNjRcXdXMq6x6tRG3VZ-EV4GtIqtdJYGrWhr212ghLXcTz-tsPyc5J4hfEK0KU7Q__&Key-Pair-Id=KUT5TJCACFTXG","Residents of the 300 block of West University told the Champaign City Council on Aug. 19 that multiple waste-hauling companies are collecting trash in the neighborhood as early as 3 a.m., disrupting sleep and potentially violating city noise restrictions.

The most detailed account came from resident Chris Keckler, who said his building at 305 West University — a residential block with “dozens of units” — regularly is serviced by multiple companies at different early-morning hours. Keckler said one hauler, Illini Recycling, routinely arrives near 3 a.m.; staff told residents the trucks’ GPS logs show arrival times around 2:59 a.m.

Keckler asked the council to press haulers to change their schedules and to consider an ordinance restricting powered equipment or collection before a set hour. He cited other Illinois cities (Normal, Belleville, Galesburg and Naperville) that restrict starts to 6 a.m., and noted Chicago bars pickup before 7 a.m. in its municipal code.

Resident April Novak spoke in support of Keckler’s request, saying the noise has been “very troubling” and asking the council to consider a noise ordinance change.

Council members did not take immediate action on the request at the meeting. A staff member or appropriate department will need to evaluate existing municipal noise rules, whether they expressly cover mechanical collection vehicles in alleys, and whether enforcement or a new ordinance is feasible.

Quotes are drawn from public comment recorded in the Aug. 19 meeting transcript.","Residents of 305 West University urged the Champaign City Council to work with haulers and consider an ordinance to prohibit early-morning trash collection after persistent pickups that begin as early as 3 a.m.; speakers cited multiple companies and GPS logs from Illini Recycling.","actionData","errors"]

Article not found

Champaign Township board tables preliminary budget amid questions over Strides shelter finances and management

Council approves three procurement items and routine payments totaling millions

Council rezones two South Mattis Avenue lots to allow low-density multifamily development; neighbor voices support

City approves $90,500 contract with RDG for housing-needs analysis; councilmember seeks short-term rental review

Downtown Champaign residents ask council to curb 3 a.m. garbage pickups, citing sleep and noise ordinance concerns